We're On the Road Again

November 4, 2018November 3, 2018

Santuario

Hi everyone,

I’m taking a one week break from my series of posts on Door County Wisconsin to share a project that I produced last spring for a class I took on documentary photography. Here’s why: I’ve been thinking a lot about what happened last Saturday in Pittsburgh. The folks that showed up at the Tree of Life Synagog were seeking sanctuary from the rigors of daily life to pray to God for guidance, forgiveness, wisdom, or one of many other reasons. A man with a gun and hatred of Jews senselessly took eleven lives and shattered the feeling of safety one gets when entering a sanctuary as these innocent people did last Saturday morning. It’s hard to wrap our heads around what and why this happened and the effect this has not only on this pleasant, quiet neighborhood in Pittsburgh but on the followers of Judaism and many fellow Americans.

Another reason for taking this break is that almost three years ago on November 13, 2015 I posted my very first blog article on this site. The same day this first post went live, terrorists launched a coordinated attack at a stadium, cafes and restaurants, and a music venue in Paris, killing 130 and injuring over 400. I mourned with the families that lost their loved ones and petitioned for peace and healing for the injured. I then wrote and posted my second article on November 14, 2015 about France to support and honor it’s beauty, the French people’s passion for life and their resilience in the face of danger. Another illogical act to shatter the peace in places where people take sanctuary from everyday life.

With that as a backdrop, I present to you my documentary project titled “Santuario” Spanish for sanctuary. The idea for this project came about as I was planning my April trip to Taos, New Mexico for a photo workshop. I had also enrolled in a local class on documentary photography. As I was preparing for my trip, I purchased a book on photographing the southwest focusing on the natural landmarks of Colorado and New Mexico. Some of the landmarks featured in this book were of the many old and unique houses of worship in the Taos area, I decided to make that the focus of my documentary photography project. It wasn’t until I got home when the photos and words came together that resulted in the final product as presented below. This time of self reflection and national soul searching seems to be an appropriate time to share with you, my readers. Your thoughts and comments are appreciated.

6 thoughts on “Santuario”

Thanks again for sharing your sensitive and inspiring photographs. I enjoyed seeing them again and being reminded of the meaning of sanctuary. We are in such need of a peaceful and safe place in the midst of our self-inflicted chaos.

This is beautifully composed, Tom. Strangely, I was just working on editing my very similar photos and feeling so much calm in being back in that New Mexico environment. The history and mystery of those sanctuaries really fills me with hope, which is much needed now. Your work is lovely. Thank you for continuing to share your art–both written and photographed.